Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has revealed more synergy between state governments and security agencies will help in winning the fight against crude oil theft in the country.
Governor Fubara stated that against orchestrated sabotage by disgruntled elements to frustrate the fight initiated by his administration to tackle illegal bunkering in the State, formidable successes have been recorded, undoubtedly.
The Governor expressed delight that the success will further be sustained, given the commendable interest shown by the Presidency that has constituted the Niger Delta Monitoring Team, and tasked with the mandate to curb oil theft and illegal refining of crude oil in the entire region.
Governor Fubara spoke during a meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led a delegation of the Joint Federal Government Team on Security of National Assets, on courtesy visit to Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
The Governor said he is determined to rewrite the story in Rivers State and ensure that Rivers people get the best while the national economy does not suffer by what happens in the State.
He said, “We are faced with a situation where the little that we are doing here are being sabotaged by some persons who do not want to see any good in what we are doing.
“This is not just in the aspect of governance, but also in the aspect of economic activities of this country. And, one way or the other, this particular moment has created an opportunity for us to rewrite those stories.
“I can say here boldly that before this time, we’ve had a very wonderful working relationship with the Service Commanders here. And in Rivers State, we have done so much in the aspect of combating illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalisation.
“And, you can imagine what has just happened now. When the Federal Government is now being part of it, through the different headquarters of the (military) service arm, to complement what we are doing. I can assure you that it is going to be a total success.”
Governor Fubara also explained actions by the government and their collaboration with the military to curb incidences of piracy at some sea routes in the State
He said: “You mentioned something, the issue of sea pirates. That is even one of the problems I am having today. Because of what we are doing through the Navy and the Air Force, which are also supporting us, they’ve all entered into the waterways now.
“The waterways around Bonny Local Government Area are the tracks they operate now; kidnapping of innocent people who are coming from Bonny Island to Port Harcourt or some of them on their way from Port Harcourt to Bonny Island.
“As we are talking now, we have already started doing something. Myself and the Office of the Secretary of the State Government, have already directed them to acquire six gun boats, so we can handover some of them to the Navy, so that they can cover some areas of interest.”
The Governor restated his resolve to ensure that everything goes on well by providing the needed State Government’s support that will contribute to increasing crude oil production.
“Let me, on behalf of the Government and people of Rivers State, assure the Chief of Defence Staff that our collaboration in supporting the course of the Federal Government to ensure that (crude oil) production line increases by next year is a task that must be done, and Rivers State will be part of it to make it succeed,” he added.
In his speech, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, said his visit is two-fold: first, is to assess the level of implementation of their directives towards achieving the mandate of Mr President in securing the oil producing areas, ensure that crude oil production increases.
The second reason, he said, is to inaugurate the two committees: the Defense Joint Monitoring Team and the Defense Joint Intelligence Infusion Centre.
General Musa explained: “Now, why we have these two is to enhance the work we already have been doing on ground. We have observed over time that there are gaps in the activities ongoing, and for us to be able to achieve the mandate of the Commander-in-Chief and President of Nigeria, we have to do things differently.
“And firstly, what we did was that with the Operation Delta Safe (ODS), we made sure that all the security forces and other agencies are working together under the Joint Task Force.
“They have their company Commanders and personnel, and whatever that is being done, we are doing it together in unison. We understand that synergy is very crucial to our success, and that is the first thing that we did.
“And secondly, the Monitoring Team and the Infusion Centre. The Monitoring Team is to also go round and see where they are gaps to be able to direct the operations so that they can be able to see that things are covered.”
General Musa added the Infusion Centre is task to also harmonize all the intelligence agencies together, gather all the information, whether it deals with oil production or other acts of criminality that will help in taking direct action to ensure that there is peace.
The Chief of Defence Staff also expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for creating an enabling environment with his sterling leadership style assuring the support of the Nigerian armed forces for his government.
In the meantime, the Chief of Defense Staff, CDS, General Christopher Musa has tasked troops of the Nigerian Army, Air Force and Navy to facilitate improved production of crude oil from 1.35million barrels to 2.2 million barrels per day, before December 2024, with more commitment in the fight against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta Region.
General Musa gave the charge while inaugurating members of the Defence Joint Monitoring Team at the 6 Division, Nigerian Army Headquarters in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
The Chief of Defense Staff urged the team to work in collaboration with all security agencies and critical stakeholders in the Niger Delta region to ensure a total end to illegal oil bunkering and other related crimes in the region.
He explained that the essence of the taskforce was to bolster the security and production of crude oil within the Niger Delta.
General Musa, clarified that although the inaugurated team had already resumed operations in the Niger Delta, they were only being officially Inaugurated to continue carrying out their assignments.
He said, “For the past weeks we have been working to improve security and production of crude oil within the oil producing areas. Today we inaugurated the Defence Joint Monitoring Team and later, we will also inaugurate the Defence Joint Infusion Centre.
“You are aware of the mandate of Mr. President, you must secure the oil producing areas, you must secure our oil facilities, you must ensure that the oil companies are able to produce maximally with a target of 2.2 million barrels per day between now and December, 2024.
“I want to thank members of the communities, the state government and all stakeholders within the oil producing areas. There have been tremendous improvements in security. We want to encourage them not to support anyone out there that wants to sabotage these efforts, we are going to be very decisive about and anyone caught would be prosecuted
“I want to use this medium to inaugurate you officially, you are to commence work as the Defence Joint Monitoring Team of the armed forces of Nigeria, you are to liase and partner with all security agencies, stakeholders to ensure seamless collaboration.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Team, Major General JAL Jimoh, assured that his team would leave no stone unturned in engendering improved daily production of crude and surpassing the benchmark.
